Air conditioning apparatus for the induction type



Dec. 26, 1961 L. CHIEREGATTI 3,014,496

AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS OF THE INDUCTION TYPE Filed July 1, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q 7 Fla. 7 Q 5 32 6 O 30 27 Q 29 26 I 4 Z3 5 Q a 20 21 2 7" 8a '16 \19 I O J Dec. 26, 1961 L. CHIEREGATTI 3,

AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS OF THE INDUCTION TYPE Filed July 1, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig 5 26 Fig. 4

Patented Dec. 26, 1961 3,014,496 Am CONDITIONING APPARATUS F THE KNDUCTEGN TYPE Luigi Chieregatti, 31 Piazza Duomo, Miian, Italy Filed July 1, 1953, Ser. No. M5931 Ciaims priority, application Italy Aug. 23, 1957 6 Claims. (Cl. 137-6411) This invention relates to air conditioning apparatus of the induction type, more particularly to means conveying air and adjusting flow thereof between the supply chamber, i.e. the chamber to which air flows from a fan at a high speed and static pressure, if desired after pre-conditioning, and the silencing and expansion chamher.

A first object of this invention is to provide means for conveying air and adjusting flow thereof between the above mentioned chambers with a very low drop of pressure at the inside in the open valve condition and absorbing whenever required a considerable drop in pressure through the partly shut-ofi' valve without increasing the noise level in the air stream, as distinct from conventional valves employed in this kind of apparatus.

A further object of this invention is to provide a valve for controlling flow of air between the two above-mentioned chambers, which is simple and inexpensive in construction and easy to assemble, affording a noiseless stream and a satisfactory rating thereof.

According to a first feature of this invention the passage between the supply chamber and silencing and expansion chamber extending throughout the length of the apparatus is shaped according to a Venturi profile, with an inlet smoothly merging into the supply chamber and an outlet diverging towards the expansion chamber.

According to a further feature of this invention the valve member controlling the passage between the supply chamber and silencing and expansion chamber is of a streamlined profile arranged in the supply chamber.

The valve member controlling the passage between the supply chamber and silencing and expansion chamber preferably comprises at least one member hinged at its one end to the passage and controlled at its other end.

According to a further feature of this invention a device is provided for micrometrically calibrating the opening position of the valve member-controlling the air flow between the supply chamber and silencing and expansion chamber, means being provided for remote control of the closing and opening of said valve member without affecting calibration effected by said micrometrical calibrating device.

Further characteristic features and advantages of this invention will be understood from the appended specification referring to the accompanying drawings which show an embodiment thereof by way of example.

FIGURE 1 is'a diagrammatical cross-sectional view of the improved air conditioning apparatus of the induction type;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the valve member controlling the air fiow between the supply chamber and silencing and expansion chamber;

FIGURE 3 is a part sectional detail view of FIGURE 2 on an enlarged scale;

FIGURE 4 is a part sectional detail view of FIGURE 1 on an enlarged scale showing the calibrating device for the control valve;

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal sectional view on line V-V of FIGURE 1 of the device controlling closure of the control valve;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view on line VIVI of FIGURE 5.

Reference A generally denotes the casing of an air conditioning apparatus of the induction type, in which 1, 2 and 3 denote the supply chamber, silencing and expansion chamber and mixing chamber, respectively, in which the primary air issuing at high speed from the nozzles 4 induces from the surrounding air through openings 6 a secondary air stream which, upon flowing through a heat exchanger 5, forms with the primary air a mixture entering the room to be conditioned through openings 7.

Flow of air from the supply chamber 1 to the silencing and expansion chamber 2 is effected through an elongated conduit or slant-like passage 8 which is streamlined in cross-sectional shape and has a Venturi profile in cross-section with an inlet defined by two spaced longitudinal, convex valve seat portions 8a, 8b, smoothly merging with the supply chamber 1 and an outlet diverging towards the chamber 2. The conduit or passage 8 extends throughout the length of the chambers 1, 2.

Inlet of air from the chamber 1 to the conduit 8 is controlled by a valve, the valve member of which denoted as a whole by 9 is situated within the chamber 1 and is of stream-lined cross-sectional shape. The valve member, which is shown in detail in FIGURES 2 and 3, comprises two hollow cylindrical stream-lined bodies Iii-11, hinged at their ends at 1.2 and 13 to the wall 50 shutting oh the supply chamber 1 from the expansion chamber 2. The opposite ends of the members 1011 are closed by plugs Him-11a, such as of plastics, which have bored therethrough a central hole which is rounded olf.

The holes in both plugs engage two cross pins 14, 15 carried on diametrically opposite sides by a rod 16, one end 16a of which is guided for movement within a hole in a plate 17 secured to the casing.

The rod 16 has hinged thereto about a pin 18 a bellcrank lever 19, mounted for oscillation about a pivot 20 likewise carried by the casing of the apparatus.

The lever 1h is hinged at its other end about a pin 21 to a rod 22 which is threaded at its other end at 22a.

The latter end 22a extends with a sliding fit through a hole in a plate 23, its upward movement (FIGURE 5) being limited by a nut 24 abutting the plate 23. A cap 25 is screwed on the end of the portion 22a and has a hole bored through its bottom, through which the end of a flexible metal cable 26 extends, the cable being retained within the cap by an enlarged head 26a. The flexible cable 26 is mounted for displacement within a metal tube 27 for the purposes to be described hereafter.

The plate 23 is formed with a tapered bore engaging a screw 28 which is mounted for rotation but kept against axial displacement within a body 29 secured to the Wall 30 of the apparatus confining from the inside the mixing chamber 3.

The body 29 is of stream-lined profile to avoid raising hte noise level of the apparatus.

By acting on the micrometn'c screw- 28, the plate 23, which is kept against rotation, is moved vertically thereby accurately adjusting the extent of opening of the valve members 9 comprising the two bodies 10, 11 described above.

Instead of employing two valve members equal in length as in the example described, two members diitering in length and, in the limit case, one member only could be employed which would be hinged at one end to the Wall 50 and controlled at its other end.

The flexible cable 26 and sheathing and guide member 27 extend to a remote control for the valve, by means of which the valve members 9 can be fully closed and on the subsequent re-opening operation can be returned to their position set by the previously described calibrating device.

The remote control device comprises a casing 31 of U-shaped section carried by a bracket 32 secured to the wall 30 by means of screws 33.

Reference 34 denotes an attachment means for the end of the sheath 27. A helical spring 35 bears at one end on the attachment means 24 and at its other end on a lug 36 fast with a screw 37 formed with an axial bore through which the flexible cable 26 extends.

Reference 36a denotes a screw for attachment of the cable 26 to a lug 36.

The end of the screw 37 is connected through an adjusting nut 38 to a U-shaped strap 39.

A cam 4b is mounted for rotation in the strap 39 and rigid with a control lever 41, said cam cooperating with an end wall 42 on the casing 31.

The cam 45) is capable of rotation about a pivot 43 which extends through holes in the side walls of the strap 39 and is engaged at its ends by longitudinal slits 44 in the casing 31.

In the position of the lever 41 shown in full lines in FIGURE 5, the valve members 9 are in their open condition shown in FIGURE 1, and have been previously adjusted by means of the micrometric screw 28.

On moving the lever 41 to the position shown by broken lines at 41, the cam 40 abuts the wall 42 moving the strap 39 together with the lug 36 and screw 37 associated therewith to the left in FIGURE 5.

The cable 26 attached to the lug 36 is moved at the same time, lowering the rod 22 and closing the valve members 9 through the clockwise oscillation of the bellcrank lever 19.

The cable stroke length can be satisfactorily adjusted by acting on the screw 18 in order to fully close the valve.

The valve is re-opened by moving the lever 41 from its position shown by broken lines to its position shown by full lines, whereby the spring 39 which has been compressed on the previous closing stroke is allowed to expand, thereby resetting the lug 36, screw 37 and strap 39 to their initial position, till the nut 24 abuts the abutment plate 23 of the calibrating device.

Adjustment of the extent of opening of the valve does not therefore in the least afiect the remote control of the valve effected by means of the lever 41.

Where it is not desired to make use of the remote control, the rod 22 is rigidly connected to the plate 23 by retaining it between the nut 24 and a further nut screwed on the screw-threaded portion 22a of the rod 22.

The above described air passage control valve affords the following advantages over devices employed heretofore in induction air conditioners:

(a) The Venturi shaped air passage and stream-lined valve member situated in high pressure region involve an extremely low drop in inner pressures in the open valve condition and are moreover capable of absorbing, in, the case of need, through the partly closed valve a considerable drop of pressure without increasing the noise level in the conveyed air flow.

(b) The air pressure acting on the valve member results in a tight seal of the valve in its closed condition.

(c) The valve comprising at least one member hinged at one end of the air passage and controlled at one point only, in addition to affording a considerable simplicity, hence economy in construction and assembly of the valve member and control therefor, affords above all a noiseless fiow of air and an excellent rating of the airflow. This is due to the fact that in addition to the area, the outer boundary of the outlet port is reduced as the valve closes, as distinct from conventional valve members in which the outer boundary of the port is hardly altered as the port area is reduced.

It will be understood that embodiments and constructional details can be varied within the principles of this invention with respect to the example described and shown without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An air conditioning apparatus of the induction type comprising a horizontally elongated supply chamber, a silencing and expansion chamber extending longitudinally of the supply chamber in a side-by-side relation to the latter, means defining a passage connecting the said chambers having an inlet extending lengthwise of the supply chamber, the said passage having a Venturi profile in its cross-sectional shape the inlet of which merges into the supply chamber, and valve means associated with the inlet of the passage including a pair of bar-shaped valve members of a streamlined cross-sectional shape extending in the supply chamber in opposite directions lengthwise of the latter at a location adjacent distinct sections of the inlet of the passage, whereby each of the members comprises a near and a far end, respectively, with respect of the other, means pivotally supporting each of the said valve members at its far end thereby to swing towards and away of the inlet of the passage to thereby close and open its associated section of the inlet of the passage, respectively, and means associated with near ends of the valve members for jointly displacing the latter selectively to their open and closed condition by swinging them about their pivotally supported far ends.

2. An air conditioning apparatus of the induction type comprising a horizontally elongated supply chamber, a silencing and expansion chamber extending longitudinally of the supply chamber in a side-by-side relation to the latter, means defining a passage connecting the said chambers having an inlet extending lengthwise of the sup ply chamber, the said passage having a Venturi profile in its cross-sectional shape the inlet of which merges into the supply chamber, and valve means associated with the inlet of the passage including a pair of bar-shaped valve members of a streamlined cross-sectional shape extending in the supply chamber in opposite directions lengthwise of the latter at a location adjacent distinct sections of the inlet of the passage, whereby each of the members comprises a near and a far end, respectively, with respect of the other, means pivotally supporting each of the said valve members at its far end thereby to swing towards and away of the inlet of the passage to thereby close and open its associated section of the inlet of the passage, respectively, a control rod in the supply chamber extending transversely of the latter in a direction towards the silencing and expansion chamber, the said control rod being supported slidable lengthwise thereof at a location intermediate the near ends of the valve members, a pair of transverse pins fast with the control rod respectively projecting into the respective near ends of the valve members whereby the latter can be jointly swung selectively to their open and closed condition by lengthwise displacing the control rod, and means for correspondingly displacing the rod.

3. An air conditioning apparatus of the induction type comprising a horizontally elongated supply chamber, a silencing and expansion chamber extending longitudinally of the supply chamber in a side-by-side relation to the latter, means defining a passage connecting the said chambers having an inlet extending lengthwise of the supply chamber, the said passage having a Venturi profile in its cross-sectional shape the inlet of which merges into the supply chamber, and valve means associated with the inlet of the passage including a pair of bar-shaped valve members of a streamlined cross-sectional shape extending in the supply chamber in opposite directions lengthwise of the latter at a location adjacent distinct sections of the inlet of the passage, whereby each of the members comprises a near and a far end, respectively, with respect of the other, means pivotally supporting each of the said valve members at its far end thereby to swing towards and away of the inlet of the passage to thereby close and open its associated section of the inlet of the passage, respectively, a control rod in the supply chamber extending transversely of the latter in a direction towards the silencing and expansion chamber, the said control rod being supported slidable lengthwise thereof at a location intermediate the near ends of the valve members, a pair of transverse pins fast with the control rod respectively projecting butt-wise into the respective near ends of the valve members whereby the latter can be jointly swung selectively to their open and closed condition by lengthwise displacing the control rod, means for correspondingly displacing the rod, and adjustable stop means associated with the last named means limiting the opening movement of the control rod and valve members to a predetermined extent.

4. An air conditioning apparatus of the induction type comprising a horizontally elongated supply chamber, a silencing and expansion chamber extending longitudinally of the supply chamber in a side-by-side relation to the latter, means defining a passage connecting the said chambers having an inlet extending lengthwise of the supply chamber, the said passage having a Venturi profile in its cross-sectional shape the inlet of which merges into the supply chamber, and valve means associated with the inlet of the passage including a pair of bar-shaped valve members of a streamlined cross-sectional shape extending in the supply chamber in opposite directions lengthwise of the latter at a location adjacent distinct sections of the inlet of the passage, whereby each of the members comprises a near and a far end, respectively, with respect of the other, means pivotally supporting each of the said valve members at its far end thereby to swing towards and away of the inlet of the passage to thereby close and open its associated section of the inlet of the passage,

respectively, a control rod in the supply chamber extending transversely of the latter in a direction towards the silencing and expansion chamber, the said control rod being supported slidable lengthwise thereof at a location intermediate the near ends of the valve members, a pair of transverse pins fast with the control rod respectively projecting into the respective near ends of the valve mem bers whereby the latter can be jointly swung selectively to their open and closed condition by lengthwise displacing the control rod, means for correspondingly displacing the rod, the said means including a spring urging the control rod and valve members towards the said open condition, and adjustable stop means associated with the last named means limiting the opening movement of the control rod and valve members to a predetermined extent.

5. An air conditioning apparatus of the induction type comprising, an elongated supply chamber, a silencing and expansion chamber extending longitudinally of the supply chamber disposed in a side-by-side relationship therewith, means defining an elongated slot-like passage extending lengthwise of said supply chamber for providing communication between said chambers, said passage having a Venturi-shaped cross-section and the last-mentioned means defining an inlet in said passage in communication with said supply chamber and a diverging outlet opening into said silencing and expansion chamber, valve means comprising an elongated cylindrical, pivotally mounted valve member in said supply chamber operable to a first position into cooperation with said means defining said passage extending longitudinally of said supply chamber and said passage for closing said passage and operable to a second position spaced from said means defining the passage for opening said passage, means pivotally securing said valve member adjacent one end thereof to permit pivotal movement thereof into said two positions, means connected to said valve member for selectively operating said valve member to said two positions and said means defining said passage comprising means defining two, spaced valve seat portions extending longitudinally of said chamber each having an arcuate convex cross-section for causing said inlet to merge smoothly with said chamber and jointly forming an elongated seat for said cylindrical valve member when in said first position thereof.

6. An air conditioning apparatus of the induction type comprising, an elongated supply chamber, a silencing and expansion chamber extending longitudinally of the supply chamber disposed in a side-by-side relationship therewith, means defining an elongated slot-like passage extending lengthwise of said supply chamber for providing communication between said chambers, said passage ber operable to a first position into cooperation with said means defining said passage extending longitudinally of said supply chamber and said passage for closing said passage and operable to a second position spaced from said means defining the passage for opening said passage, means pivotally securing said valve member adjacent one end thereof to permit pivotal movement thereof into said two positions, means connected to said valve member for selectively operating said valve member to said two positions comprising means urging said valve to said second position opening said passage and adjustable stop means cooperative with said means for selectively operating said valve for limiting the opening movement of said valve member to a predetermined extent, and said means defining said passage comprising means defining two, spaced valve seat portions extending longitudinally of said chamber each having an arcuate convex cross-section for causing said inlet to merge smoothly with said chamber and jointly forming an elongated seat for said cylindrical valve member when in said first position thereof. 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

